This story is about a young Malay woman who quit her job to embrace the kampung life, finding peace in gardening, cooking, and writing.
For Nuha Sein, her journey began with a simple dream. “I was inspired by a Korean or Japanese movie about a young woman who loses her job and returns to her hometown to live in her family’s old house,” she shared in her Facebook post.
Captivated by the protagonist’s frugal yet fulfilling lifestyle, Nuha found herself yearning for the same simplicity. Little did she know, this inspiration would lead her to trade her corporate life for the serenity of kampung living.
Nuha resigned from her 9-to-5
After resigning from her job due to health issues, Nuha moved back to her kampung and focused on creating content. “With my last RM1,000 in savings, I bought a secondhand laptop and started writing,” she recounts.
With a lot more free time, Nuha spent her days learning how to write novels. In just two months, Nuha completed three eBooks, planting the seed for the start of a new chapter in her life.
Gardening became Nuha’s therapy
Whenever Nuha would feel down, she would turn to the soil beside her house, seeking solace in gardening.
“Every morning, I’d dig up the soil and plant vegetable seeds. This became my routine,” she explains. Watching her garden bloom brought unexpected joy and purpose to her days.
The therapeutic act of gardening not only nurtured her mind but also her community. “I loved sitting by the back door, staring at my vegetable plants for hours,” Nuha says. “The small harvests from my garden, I’d give away to my neighbors and relatives.”
Her efforts even yielded financial rewards, as her crops thrived to the point where she saved RM250 in a dedicated “garden fund.”
Nuha embraced her community
Now, Nuha’s days are filled with purposeful simplicity. Whether cycling around her neighborhood or wading into a nearby water channel to catch clams, each activity brings her closer to nature. “I’d cook the clams in coconut milk,” she says, savoring the small joys of life.
Her evenings are equally peaceful, marked by prayer, dhikr, and quiet reflection. “This daily routine brought peace and structure to my life,” the former city girl shares.
Faced with financial constraints, Nuha found innovative ways to sustain herself. She would spend hours online searching for discounts and supermarket deals, stocking up on essentials and sharing her discoveries on her Facebook page. Her efforts not only saves her a lot of money, but also keeps her connected to others.
A Culinary Adventure
For Nuha, food became an extension of her creativity and self-care. “I enjoy colorful, aesthetically pleasing meals,” she says, describing her vibrant dishes crafted from homegrown vegetables.
By avoiding artificial seasonings and dyes, she embraced a healthier diet that significantly improved her well-being. “Since I started eating healthy, I feel much better. I no longer suffer from gastritis or diarrhea like I used to.”
Her culinary skills expanded as she experimented with traditional dishes, desserts, and pastries. On special occasions, she would prepare fancy meals and eat dinner by candlelight. “I’d pretend I was in a fine-dining restaurant,” she laughs.
“Life is not always smooth.”
As Nuha reflects on her choice to return back to her kampung, she shares, “Each of us has our own unique blessings and trials. Just enjoy life. It’s fleeting.”
Nuha Sein’s story is a testament to the power of slowing down, embracing simplicity, and finding joy in everyday moments. Her journey prompts us to ask: Could we, too, find happiness by stepping away from the hustle, grounding ourselves in the beauty of life’s small pleasures?
How would you create your version of a fulfilling and peaceful life?
Let us know your thoughts at hello@inreallife.my and you may be featured on In Real Life Malaysia.
Also read: I’m A Palm Oil Plantation Owner And Here’s How I Retired At Age 45 – In Real Life
I’m A Palm Oil Plantation Owner And Here’s How I Retired At Age 45
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